Low-voltage attachment switch



Oct. 3, 1950 J. H. WEGEHOFT LOW-VOLTAGE ATTACHMENT SWITCH Filed July 15,1946 /A//EA/ro@ JOHN .f7/ 145652.10571- Patented Oct. 3, 1950 UNITEDSTATES PATENT CFFICE 2 Claims. 1

The principal objects of this invention are described in the followingorder, rst, the simultaneous operation of low and highei` voltagecircuits with one switch toggle movement, second, to afford facilitiesto operate a low voltage circuit for night lights, sign or signallights, lights to illuminate house numbers and other services,simultaneously or alternately with higher voltage circuits with oneswitch operation; and, third, designed and constructed to accomplish theheretofore mentioned objects, yet neat and compact to iit the limitedspace on either upper or lower part of a standard toggle type switchplate with no alterations required on the switch plate,

Figure l in the accompanying `drawing is an actual size vertical View ofthe attachment switch, attached to lower part of a standard toggle typeswitch plate, in this position the two different voltage circuits areeither both off or on as desired, to obtain alternate action theattachment switch should be attached to upper part of the switch plateindicated by dotted circle in Figure 1.

Figure 2, a half cut elevational View, enlarged so all the parts and howthey function appear more clearly. Figure 3, an enlarged plan View ofslightly concave disc having right-angle ears with small bolts on twosides for securing means, also elongated center hole providingadjustable means for securing disc to a standard switch plate.

Referring to the drawing, Fig. 1, a round cover or housing, hereinafterreferred to as housing l, is made of nonconductive or insulatedmaterial, about one inch in diameter and about one half inch high,having diametrically opposed holes through which a metal rod 2reciprocates, and slots IZ-IZ on opposite sides for securing means.

Rod 2 forms the contact action of this switch, having a split collar 3compressed into groove around rod 2 and forming a stop for one end oflight compression coil spring 4 around rod 2, the other end of coilspring 4 pressing against a metal washer 5, secured to wire 6. A secondwire 'l secured to a second washer 8 having a center hole 7/32 inch indiameter thereby leaving 1/1s inch contact breaking space around rod 2which is 3/32 inch in diameter. Washer 8 also has two small cleats bentright-angle and pass through small holes in housing I and cleated on theoutside to hold washer 8 in proper place. Figure 2 shows rod 2 pushedback by toggle arm thereby breaking the contact between washer 8 andcollar 3 around rod 2.

Disc 9 being slightly concave to allow space for raised rim around bolthole in switch plate, also to seat outer edge of disc 9 snug againstSwitch plate when center -bolt l is drawn tight.

The right-angle ears with small bolts Il--l l on disc 9 form the meansfor securing housing I to disc 9 as illustrated by Figure 2 and Figure 3being opposite each other. Elongated center hole in disc 9 providesmeans for securing disc 9 to switch plate and allows for adjusting theswitch with toggle arm motion.

Having described my invention in detail, however, it being understoodthat minor changes and improvements may be made without departing fromthe principles of this invention. Being aware that there are numeroustypes of switches but as new and useful features of this invention.

I claim:

1. In combination, a main switch including a housing and a, handlemember; a cover plate containingan opening therein disposed adjacentsaid main switch so that the handle member thereof protrudes through theopening; means removably fastening the cover plate to the switchhousing; and an auxiliary switch including an actuating member fastenedto the outside of the cover plate adjacent the handle member so that theactuating member is actuated by said handle member; said auxiliaryswitch being fastened to the cover plate .by the same means fasteningthe cover plate to the main switch housing.

2. In combination, a main switch including a housing and a handlemember; a cover plate containing an opening therein disposed adjacentsaid main switch so that the handle member thereof protrudes through theopening; an auxiliary switch including an actuating member disposed onthe outside of the cover plate adjacent the handle member so that theactuating membei` is actuated by said handle member; and a commonscrewlike member fastening the auX iliary switch to the cover plate andthe cover plate to the main switch housing.

JOI-IN I-I. W'EGEI-IOFT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,254,812 Klein Jan. 29, 19181,564,207 Cloud Dec. 8, 1925 1,675,026 Goldthwaite June 26, 19282,277,645 Johnson Mar. 24, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date2,120 Great Britain Mar. 3, 1900 12,389 Great Britain 1889 315,633Germany Nov. 10, 1919

